ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Flight dynamics (aircraft)

Have you ever seen a bird fly in the sky? Flying is more complicated than it looks, especially for big things like planes. Flight dynamics is all about understanding how planes move, turn, and stay in the air.

To start, a plane needs to get enough speed on the runway before it can take off. This is called the takeoff phase. During takeoff, the plane's engines spin its propellers or jet turbines to push it forward. Once it reaches a certain speed, the wings create lift, which helps the plane lift off the ground and into the air.

Once the plane is in the air, it needs to be able to move in different directions. This is where flight dynamics come into play. A plane can move up and down by changing the angle of the wings. This is called pitch. If the nose of the plane is pointed up, it will rise; if it's pointed down, it will descend.

The plane can also change direction from side to side by rolling. This happens when one wing is tilted up and the other is tilted down. This helps the plane turn left or right.

Finally, a plane needs to be able to slow down and stop when it lands. During the landing phase, the pilot will lower the landing gear and slow the plane down by using the brakes. The wings also generate drag, which can slow the plane down.

Overall, flight dynamics is all about understanding how a plane moves and how pilots can control it to fly safely and efficiently. It's like playing a big game of 3D chess in the sky!